Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

Wyatt chuckled. “Why do you think I ran away to the Caribbean?” He shook his head as he looked around the room. “It's beautiful and grand, but... this life is hard in its own way. You must always be ready to perform.”

“I feel like we're on display. Like monkeys in the zoo. Pretty monkeys, but still just something to look at.” Cassie reached for her glass of water and realized her hand was shaking.

She had a feeling she would never get used to this. She didn't like being the center of attention. She liked working in the background and making sure events like this ran smoothly. This was the exact opposite of what she enjoyed.

“Well, at least you won't be on display on your own,” Wyatt told her, motioning with a smile to the guests heading toward their table.

Janessa looked lovely in a strapless purple gown. Kyle had stopped to say hello to another couple at an adjacent table, but Janessa waved and grinned.

Cassie waved back and then smiled at Wyatt. “Did you do this?”

“Brianna is coming too,” Wyatt informed her. “I asked Julia, but she had to work.”

Cassie's heart melted. “Thank you.”

Wyatt shrugged like it was nothing. “I want this to be a good e

xperience for you. And, I want you to know that you can always have your friends with you.”

“Thank you.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek, breathing in the scent of him. Clean soap with a hint of richness, and somehow a touch of the ocean. Even this far from the water, he still reminded her of where they met.

“This is so beautiful,” Janessa announced, coming over to the table. She hugged Cassie and grinned at Wyatt. “I'm glad you told Kyle you were coming. We nearly skipped this year. This is a much better table than we usually get.”

Kyle's family was very wealthy. It made sense that they would get an invite to something like this. Kyle arrived at the table and hands were shaken and greetings made.

“Cassie, where did you get that dress? It's amazing. You look like a princess.” Janessa grinned at her.

Cassie blushed a little. “Thanks. Wyatt got it for me.”

Janessa turned to Wyatt. “You are now allowed to pick out my wardrobe as well.”

Wyatt chuckled. “I wish I could claim credit. I hired someone. My expertise is in surfboards, not women's clothing.”

The group laughed, and Cassie could feel herself relaxing. With Janessa, Kyle, and Brianna here, she wouldn't feel like an outsider.

“Wyatt, there you are!”

A woman in a sleek blue dress hurried over to him. Her short blonde hair was modern and chic. She looked like she belonged here.

“Olive.” Wyatt grinned and stood up to greet her. The hug he gave her sent a small shot of unnecessary jealousy through Cassie's chest.

“Wyatt, I'm so glad I found you,” Olive announced, taking the empty seat next to him. “I'm in a pickle.”

Wyatt frowned, concern creasing the edges of his eyes. “What's wrong?”

“Our emcee for the auction is sick. Do you know the band, The Tones? We were supposed to get the lead singer to run the auction for us, but he's lost his voice,” Olive explained. “We need an emcee.”

“Oh, no. Not me,” Wyatt said, shaking his head. “Find somebody else.”

“Wyatt, it's your company that's putting this on,” Olive told him, sounding like a mother reminding her child to do his homework. “It's kind of your responsibility.”

Wyatt sighed and slumped in his chair. “Fine. When you put it that way.”

Olive grinned. “Thank you. I'll go get everything set up. It'll be easy. Promise.”

She flashed him one more grin and then disappeared.

“Who was that?” Cassie asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.